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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
- This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
Fraud email example:
From: "Western Union Money Transfer" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <w_department@w.cn>
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:17:04 -0700
Subject: Your Reference No.: 2282474426
We happily announce the sending of your first $5,000.00 USD that was awarded to you by the
European Union. Our office is mandated to start sending you a total sum of $800,000.00 USD
in the amount of $5,000.00 USD daily via western Union.
Sender's First Name: Fred
Last Name: Bridge
Reference No.: 2282474426
You are advised to confirm your receiving information by sending the following details:
* Full Names:...............................
* Current Address:........................
* Country:....................................
* Telephone number:....................
* Age:.........................................
* Sex:.........................................
* Occupation:..............................
The requested information is needed to re-activate your first payment of $5,000.00 USD
Feel free to e-mail or call: +44 743 885 8568 for more information and payment procedures.
Sign,
Rev. JOHN MEAKIN
Call Line: +44 743 885 8568
E-mail: w_department@w.cn
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